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Principals: Please take note of the new deadline of October 1, 2021 to have all required items on your school website. Other due dates for the 2021-22 school year are also listed.

FAQ - Answers from the State LAND Trust Office

  1. The prior and current School LAND Trust reports, current and prior council members, along with the school’s funding for five years are available when you go to the login page. Choose Public Reports on the right column before you login. Choosing School Plan will produce a Final Report if one has been submitted.
  2. Current School Plans may now be amended online, as needed. You will see a link at the top and side menu on the school page when you are logged in.
  3. You may want to wait until September 23rdto enter the Council Membership and Principal Assurance. We have encountered a bug in the system that should be resolved by then. (The principal assurance is still not working. Please complete the council membership for right now.)
  4. Parent_Licensed on Council Membership Form under Parent Type. This indicates a parent in your school, on your School Community Council, that is employed at a different school within the District. When employed at a different school they can count as a parent on your SCC.

October 1 (Prior due date was October 20)

Required school website postings
For detail see links to the Timeline and Requirements for School Websites. (Hard copy attached below)
Link to Timeline and Requirements for School Websites

Note:  Website compliance review (by the State) will be conducted beginning October 4, 2021.

Online Council Membership Form that now includes an Assurance Statement by the principal. You only need to add in your council members. You don't send the form to them. That happens in the spring. Then sign for the principal assurance and this part is done.

February 11, 2022 - Online 2020-21 Final Report Due

Date for online Final Report on 2020-2021 School Plan Implementation
Available on the State website January 15, 2022. School LAND Trust Final Report for 2020-21 must be completed by February 11, 2022.

March 25, 2022 - School LAND Trust and TSSA Plan for 2022-23 Due

Date for Upcoming School Plan 2022-2023 and Completed Council Signature Form - due online by March 25, 2022.
Available to submit when Final Report review is complete.

 

Join us at our Family Fall Fair! There will be food, games, swag and some fun prizes. Come learn about the departments and resources in our District as well as the business partners around us. If you have a student in JSD, this event is for you!

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave before or after Labor Day for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:

How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

School Holiday Date of Holiday Window
Fall Recess

(All 242, 245 Contracts)

October 21-22, 2021 Sept. 6 – Sept. 16, 2021
Fall Recess

(180, 184, 187, 207, 206 Contracts)

October 18-22, 2021 Sept. 3 – Sept. 13, 2021

https://employment.jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/PersonalLeaveBeforeAfterHoliday-21-22-updated-1.pdf

Kindergarten Night Out will be held on September 8 from 4:15 - 5:15 in the auditorium at the ASB. Please invite all kindergarten teachers to attend. We will be learning some tips and tricks to use in Walk to Read for students who are above level. This is a time to collaborate and get some freebies for the classroom.

There is a new curriculum planning tool available for third-grade teachers who are using HD Word Plus called the HD Word Plus Weekly Road Map. This map will help guide teachers through the resources available in HD Word Plus and it serves as a helpful day-to-day planning guide. This resource will continue to be developed throughout this school year. Please be sure to share this HD Word Plus Weekly Road Map link with all third-grade teachers and all building coaches.

The literacy department is hosting a weekly literacy Q&A every Thursday in September from 3:30-4:30. An updated link to this meeting is included. Please share this information with your teachers and coaches and feel free to join us if you have any literacy questions. Please be sure to use this updated link to access the meetings.  Literacy Q & A

We have added another make up session for the Literacy Launch for anyone who still needs to attend the training. The new dates are September 27th and 29th and these dates are now available in JPLS.

We have two additional dates for Heggerty and MSRC training scheduled for September 7th and 14th for anyone still needing this training. The classes are available for sign up on JPLS.

We are expecting the additional Really Great Reading teacher manuals and student workbooks to arrive this Friday by 7:00 pm. We will send them out to schools next week as long as they arrive on time. The student workboards are still on backorder.

Each school should have received or should be receiving shortly, a shipment of phonics decodable readers from High Noon Books/Academic Therapies Publications. These were mentioned during Literacy Launch training. These books are perfect for upper-grade students who are working on building decoding skills. These books should be stored in a central location where all teachers can have access to them. The set of books will include 8 different series with a total of 86 books. The series are listed below:

Magic Belt Series (12 books)
Alba Series (12 books)
Totem Series (12 books)
Talisman Series One (10 books)
Rescue Series (10 books)
Titan's Gauntlets Series (10 books)
Talisman Series Two (10 books)
Amber Guardians Series (10 books)

We have a few schools who have not responded to the Google form that was sent out by Sara Henderson regarding the need for Think Central for literacy. If we do not hear from schools by September 7th we will assume that you do not need Think Central subscriptions for your school. This will not affect math subscriptions to Think Central. The link to the Google form can be accessed through this Google Form for Think Central link.

USBE has requested that teachers participate in a brief survey. This survey will be sent out to teachers through Canvas and participation in the survey is encouraged.

Classroom assistants are being allocated to help with any needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include covering classes when substitutes are not available. These positions are being funded through Federal COVID money for the 2021-22 school year. Principals may post, interview, and hire immediately. Each school is allowed one 25-hour COVID assistant.

The position will be a lane 1, 2, or 3 depending on their highly qualified status. The normal process will decide the lane placement.

Budget Code:   10 E xxx 7211 1084 165

Please note that this is in addition to the ESSER tracker/intervention assistant that was allocated per the memo on June 17, 2021. See memo HERE.

DATE: 
September 1, 2021

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Please Update Your School’s SafeUT Dashboard Contacts


Administrators,

As staff members change at each of your schools it’s important to keep our SafeUT Dashboard up to date. Please email any updates or changes to who you’d like to have receive SafeUT tips to McKinley Withers, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org. If you need a new account added to the Dashboard for a new hire please include their name and title in your email. For any individual that would like text message notifications, include a cell phone number. Thank you!

If your schools has not yet been added to the SafeUT Dashboard, please fill out the attached spreadsheet to have your school added.

In order to align calendars at all levels and provide clarity and consistency for families and employees, elementary schools will be adjusting from a trimester to a quarter calendar. Parent teacher conferences will continue to be held twice a year at approximately the end of first and third quarters. An updated 2021-22 calendar is available on the Planning & Enrollment Calendars page.

In the past, report cards have been shared with parents/guardians at parent teacher conferences and at the end of the year as a final representation of a students’ grade for a class. This process will be slightly different this year because of the change from trimester to quarters. As the calendar indicates, parent teacher conferences do not directly align with the end of the quarter. With these changes, teachers will use the progress report to document and provide feedback about what each student is learning and the progress the student is making at the time of the parent teacher conference. Finalized progress reports will be made available to parents through Skyward at the conclusion of each quarter.

Reporting periods.

Progress reports have not changed from last year. We want to acknowledge the standards-based grading work that you have been doing with your teachers. We know your efforts to intentionally identify power standards and create explicit proficiency scales will help students learn and reach their highest potential. We will continue standards-based work throughout the year and hope to let the process prepare us for the implementation of new standards-based report cards in the coming year.

In an effort to help everyone be aware of everything they need to know about LETRS, we have added a page on the Teaching & Learning home page that is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on all things LETRS. If there are things you’d appreciate being added to the page, please reach out to Ronna Hoffman at 88242 or ronna.hoffman@jordandistrict.org. This page is intended to be a helpful resource to you and your teachers. Check it out!! Tell your teachers about it!!

DATE: 
August 12, 2021

TO:  
All Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools
Shelley Nordick, PhD, Administrator, Curriculum/Staff Development
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Utah Symphony Performance at Abravanel Hall for 5th Grade Students


Once again. we are pleased to announce Utah Symphony concerts for your 5th grade students at Abravanel Hall. The performance dates for 5th grade at Abravanel Hall are February 8 and 9, 2022 at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. Your school’s date and time will soon be provided on a separate schedule. Please note that there are no assigned seats. Schools will be seated upon arrival.

Study materials for use in preparing your students will be provided by the Utah Symphony in the weeks prior to the performance.

Your secretary will need to complete a transportation request on Skyward (your school's date and time shown on spreadsheet). The number of teachers should be included in your school’s final count. When entering your busing request, please include the correct group name (e.g. Daybreak, 115 Curr). This will ensure that the Curriculum Department will cover the busing fee.

Transportation requests should be completed as soon as possible. Due to the number of buses that need to be used for the Symphony concerts, there will be a moratorium on any other transportation requests for these dates.

DATE:       
August 20, 2021

TO: 
Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, PhD, Administrator, Teaching and Learning
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT: 
JSD-Arts Representatives for 2021-22


This year we will continue to have two District Arts Representatives (DARTS) represent your school throughout the 2021-22 school year. We have appreciated the work of past DARTS representatives and how they have helped strengthen arts instruction in your schools. Meaningful progress toward a greater level of arts integration has been made, and we wish this to continue.

DARTS meetings will be held on the following dates: September 15, October 27, December 1, January 26, February 16, March 16, and April 27. The meetings will be held at the Auxiliary Services Building Auditorium from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Please assign two teachers to serve as your school’s DARTS representatives by either selecting a grade-level team, or two teachers from different grade levels. The DARTS representatives will meet once a month for two hours to learn and collaborate.  Teachers will be paid at the inservice rate and will earn relicensure points (Note: In addition to the two regular classroom teachers, your school's BTS arts educator will also be attending the DARTS sessions).

Please email the names of your choices for the JSD DARTS Team for the 2021-22 school year to linda.gold@jordandistrict.org as soon as possible.

DATE:       
August 12, 2021

TO:  
All Elementary Principals

FROM:   
Administrators of Schools
Shelley Nordick, Phd, Administrator, Teaching and Learning Department
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:   
Utah Symphony Performance at Herriman High for 4th Grade Students


Once again, we are pleased to announce Utah Symphony concerts for your 4th grade students at Herriman High. The performance dates for 4th grade at Herriman High are November 22 and 23 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Your school’s date and time will be provided on a separate schedule in the near future. Please note that there are no assigned seats. Schools will be seated upon arrival.

Study materials for use in preparing your students will be provided by the Utah Symphony in the weeks prior to the performance.

Your secretary will need to complete a transportation request on Skyward (your school's date and time shown on spreadsheet). The number of teachers should be included in your school’s final count. When entering your busing request, please include the correct group name (e.g. Daybreak, 115 Curr). This will ensure that the Curriculum Department will cover the busing fee.

Transportation requests should be completed as soon as possible. Due to the number of buses that need to be used for the Symphony concerts, there will be a moratorium on any other transportation requests for these dates.

DATE: 
August 26, 2021

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Student Support Consultant

SUBJECT:   
Youth Services Early Intervention Program


The Utah Department of Human Services Youth Services Model is an early intervention program targeting youth who are struggling in school (grades, attendance, behavior), at home and/or otherwise at risk for getting involved in the Court system. The program supports families by helping them gain access to services in the community that they may otherwise be unaware of or unable to afford.

The services can include psych evaluations, individual therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Families First in-home intervention services, and referrals to other wrap around services. The Department has the funding to provide these services due to recent justice reform efforts.

There is an online referral process that makes it simple for youth ages 10-18, primarily in need of services due to the child’s behavior to get the support they need. Someone from Youth Services will respond to the referral within 48 business hours of submission. To refer a youth, visit: https://jjs.utah.gov/referral.

A program flyer accompanies this memo.

DATE:   
August 25, 2021

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Student Support Consultant

SUBJECT:
AS90-Illegal Substances


On Tuesday August 24, 2021 the Board approved changes to District Policy AS90-Illegal Substances (formerly AS90-Drugs and Alcohol). There were several changes and it is encouraged that you familiarize yourself with the new policy (attached).

The “Consequences Chart” and the “I Form – Illegal Substances Violation” form have been updated on the Student Support website (https://studentsupport.jordandistrict.org/drugs-alcohol-forms/) to reflect the policy changes. A Spanish version will be uploaded soon.

Several trainings will occur over the next month regarding the changes within the policy.

Please address any questions you may have to Sharon Jensen in Student Support at sharon.jensen@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8236.

LETRS FAQs

When will the textbooks arrive?
Textbooks are here and will be delivered to schools beginning Friday, August 27!! Hooray!!! Any not delivered on Friday, will be delivered next week.

What do I need to know about the shipment?
Your school’s shipment will arrive in 2-5 different boxes. It should include: teacher textbooks for Units 1-4, Teacher textbooks for Units 5-8, Administrator textbooks (A PRINCIPAL’S PRIMER FOR RAISING READING ACHIEVEMENT), and a school list of teachers.

  1. Please make sure each teacher has a textbook for Units 1-4 and for Units 5-8.
  2. The green administrator textbooks are for you (principal), your assistant principal, and the school psychologist. Every school was given at least 2 books—one for the principal and one for the school psychologist. If your school doesn’t have one for your assistant principal or intern, it was probably delivered to their other school.
  3. Please sign the enclosed list of teachers once all have been given out and send it to Ronna Hoffman in Teaching & Learning. You are welcome to track this by having teachers sign when they receive the books as well.

What if I have teachers who do not have a username and password?
Please let Ronna know!! Chances are, if they are on your school list, their username and password are in the process of being created. However, we would hate to have someone slip through the cracks. As you hire new teachers (those of you who are still trying to fill positions), please let Ronna know asap so we can get them set up as quickly as possible.

What if I have teachers who are not on the list, but should be?
Please let Ronna know!! Some orders were already being packed when we received your updated lists. We tried to make the changes, but there were a few schools that we missed updating the list before it was packed with the books. 

What if I have teachers who are on the list, but should not be?
Please let Ronna know!! We will update that information. If you have extra textbooks, Ronna will happily pick them up from you (see next FAQ). 

What if I have extra textbooks?
Please let Ronna know!! She will happily pick them up from you and will most likely have a chocolatey treat in exchange.

What if I need more textbooks?
Please let Ronna know!! If other schools have extras, we’ll get you what you need from the extras. Otherwise, we’ll order more through USBE. We automatically order textbooks when we request a username and password for someone. 

Will there be compensation for completing LETRS training?
Teachers, coaches, and school psychs will be paid $400 per completed unit. This includes completing the online  modules and attending the course. There is an extra $100 incentive for all of the above who complete Unit 1 by the end of October.

Most of the in-person session dates for Unit 1 are contract days. Subs will be provided. Teachers can use the “LETRS Training” option when putting in for a sub. The budget code will be coming soon!! If a teacher chooses to attend the in-person session on a non-contract day, they will be compensated for that rather than having a sub. Please have them fill out a time sheet.

**Please note that Grade Transmittal Days are contract days. Teachers are welcome to choose to attend a session on that day, but will not receive compensation. 

Do DLI target-language teachers participate in LETRS?
No. Only the English side teachers of DLI participate.

Do EXCEL/Cluster/SCSC teachers participate in LETRS?
No. If there is an unusual situation and you would like your SCSC teacher(s) to participate, please contact Ronna Hoffman or Shelley Nordick.

Can teachers complete the in-person (via zoom) session from home?
Teachers will need a sub for the in-person sessions, but since they are now via zoom, they are welcome to participate from home. If teams want to participate together, they are welcome to do that as well.

Do teams have to work on each unit together?
No. Though it may be helpful, it’s not required to complete the units as a team.

Is there a timeline to complete the units?
Yes, but there is some flexibility. Unit 1 MUST be started by February 2022!! Otherwise, everyone can take this on his/her own timetable as long as all eight units are completed by the end of the 2022-23 school year.

What do my teachers need to know about registering for the in-person session in MIDAS?
There are only 40 seats per session that we share with many other districts. If a session is full, teachers will have to find another date that works for them.

Please make sure your teachers understand that they should NOT register for a course in MIDAS until they have their username and login AND can complete the entire unit BEFORE the in-person session. Doing so will take seats away from other teachers. If teachers need to un-schedule a session, the MIDAS helpline number is 801-538-7807.

Did you know that the Safety Patrol program began in the U.S in 1920? AAA Exchange formed this organization over 100 years ago to give students an opportunity to serve their fellow classmates by helping to provide increased campus safety as they go to and from school. AAA provides lots of free resources to schools, such as guide books, videos and supplies to help your school build and maintain a successful Safety Patrol program.

A Safety Patrol Program requires school staff oversight and support. Safety Patrollers can only help with safety on campus. They should never be allowed to stop vehicles and cross students on campus without constant staff supervision and direction. Off campus safety is the responsibility of the city, police and crossing guards.

It is recommended that AAA Exchange be utilized to register and organize a program at your school. Website link:  AAA Safety Patrol Website

For traffic cones, handheld stop signs, or related campus signs and paint, please contact Risk Management Coordinator Jeff Beesley at 801-567-8876, Jeffrey.beesley@jordandistrict.org, or Emergency Operations Manager Lance Everill at 801-567-8623, lance.everill@jordandistrict.org